![[logo]](https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/wm.jpg)
Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterSpecial Collections Research Center Staff.
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Collection of French Language Manuscripts, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Purchases, donations. Item 2016.024 is a gift from Suzanne C. Weber in memory of her husband, Robert L. Weber.
Created in December 2011 by Benjamin Bromley, and edited by SCRC staff on an ongoing basis.
The collection is currently being processed and new items will be added on an ongoing basis.
Includes manuscript material in French. The collection is currently being processed and new items will be added on an ongoing basis. This collection has multiple creators, which have not been indexed at this time.
Manuscript of poetry and prose written by an unknown Jesuit priest which praises Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. The full title is "Receuil des plus beaux vers François qui ont estes faicts à la louange du roy Louis le Grand avec quelques autres pièces melangées". There are over 150 individual works within this volume and all but one of them are poems. The largest number of the poems were written to commemorate the victory of the French army during the seige of Namur. Item cannot be displayed for technical reasons.
Official report of the experiences of the French naval squadron in Spain in 1698, during the leadup to the War of Spanish Succession, authored by Jean duc d'Estrees. The full title of the report is as follows: "Relation de ce qui s'est passé pendant la campagne des vaisseaux du Roy commandés par Monsieur le comte D'Estrées, en mil tin cens quatre vingt dix huit." Mentions the poor health of King Charles II of Spain, the state of the Spanish fleet, harassment by Algerian pirates, and the relationship between France and England. The Comte d'Estrées likely created this report and had it copied and disseminated to French officials. This copy comes from the papers of Michel Begon, a French civil servant.
Marriage contract between Nicolas Dubord and Marie Madgalène Salle, both of Le Havre, France.
The document outlines the terms under which Michelle Gautier is going to join the religious order of the Sisters of Sainte-Marthe, Dijon (Burgundy), France. The contract lists names of other members of the order, as well as of local officials and the representative of the King. It addresses in detail the monetary contributions Gautier has to make and the rules she will have to follow.
Marriage contract between Louis François Nicolas Petitcolas and Jeanne Simon, daughter of Pierre Simon de Corcondray.
Manuscript chansonnier (songbook) kept by Alexandre Guichard of Stenay (Alsace, France), containing lyrics to 188 French songs. The date given on the first page is "An 3 de la Republique," the 3rd year of the French Republic, which began on September 22, 1794, following the Reign of Terror. The chansonnier includes the lyrics but not the actual music for the songs, but always notes the tune to which it is sung. An alphabetical index can be found at the end.
Correspondence includes a postcard, December 30, 1941 from André Dangel, a French prisoner of war in a German POW camp to Marthe Sivadier (probably his wife) and his mother in Paris. Dangel expresses hope to be released and mentions that a fellow prisoner, who will be repatriated to France shortly is planning on visiting Marthe and his mother. Also included is a letter, July 28, 1942, from Marthe Sivadier (Paris) to André Dangel still in the POW camp ("M.-Stammlater, V A"). She talks about her work, complains that not enough effort has been made to secure Dangel's release from the camp, talks about upcoming vacation with family, how she spends her weekends and how she hopes that he will be released soon, due to his status as medic and father. Both items are written in French, and the stationary is pre-printed specifically for POW correspondence with address field, instructions, name of camp, etc., printed in both German and French.
This is an untranslated eight page document covered with Amsterdam paper.